FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 11, 2022) - HERO Sports FCS announced its 2022 Preseason All-America Team on Thursday, as 15 student-athletes from the Big Sky Conference were honored.
For the full release from HERO Sports, click here. The HERO Sports FCS Preseason All-America Team was compiled by Sam Herder.
Montana once again led the Big Sky with five selections overall, while Montana State was not far behind with three honorees. Portland State and Weber State had a pair of selections each, while Northern Colorado, Sacramento State and UC Davis produced one honoree apiece.
Isaiah Ifanse (Montana State), Anthony Adams (Portland State), Justin Ford (Montana), Robby Hauck (Montana) and Big Sky Preseason Defensive MVP Patrick O'Connell (Montana) remained mainstays on the All-America First Team, while VJ Malo (Portland State) earned a rare (and much deserved) spot as well on the First Team.
The Big Sky is coming off a historic football season in 2021, as the conference earned a league-high five FCS playoff selections and had another National Championship Game appearance to cap off the season. The conference also knocked off four FBS teams in 2021, which was the most wins over FBS foes for the league since 2012.
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2022 HERO Sports FCS Preseason All-America Team (Big Sky Only)
First Team
RB – Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State
DL - VJ Malo, Portland State
LB – Patrick O’Connell, Montana
DB – Anthony Adams, Portland State
DB – Justin Ford, Montana
DB – Robby Hauck, Montana
Second Team
TE - McCallan Castles, UC Davis
LB – David Hoage, Northern Colorado
DB - Eddie Heckard, Weber State
DB - Ty Okada, Montana State
RS - Malik Flowers, Montana
Third Team
OL – Noah Atagi, Weber State
DL - Alex Gubner, Montana
LB - Callahan O’Reilly, Montana State
DB - Marte Mapu, Sacramento State